March 22, 2013

Rookie of the Year: Earl Faison, 1961

Defensive End,
San Diego Chargers

Age: 22

College: Indiana

Height: 6’5” Weight: 256

Prelude:

Following an
outstanding college career in which he was All-American and All-Big 10, Faison
was chosen by the Chargers in the first round of the 1961 AFL draft (seventh
overall – he was also drafted by Detroit of the NFL in the fifth round of that
league’s draft). He quickly moved into the starting lineup across from DE Ron
Nery in a defensive line that also included tackles Ernie Ladd and Bill Hudson
and was named “The Fearsome Foursome”.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in
all 14 games

[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions
– 2

Most
interceptions, game – 1 at Dallas 9/10, vs. Houston 9/24

Int. return
yards – 14

Most int.
return yards, game – 8 (on 1 int.) vs. Houston 9/24

Int. TDs – 0

Scoring

2-pt PAT –
1

Points – 2

Postseason –
1G (AFL Championship vs. Houston)

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions
– 0

Awards &
Honors:

AFL Rookie of
the Year: UPI

1st
team All-AFL: League, AP, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News

AFL All-Star
Game

Chargers went
12-2 to finish first in the AFL Western Division while leading the league in
total defense (3720 yards), passing defense (2363 yards), and interceptions
(49), while ranking second in sacks (42). Lost AFL Championship to Houston
Oilers (10-3).

Aftermath:

Faison missed
half of the 1962 season due to a knee injury, although his performance was
still strong enough to gain him second-team All-AFL recognition (UPI) and a
spot in the AFL All-Star Game. An outstanding pass rusher who was widely
considered the best at his position in the league at a time before sacks were
compiled, he was a consensus All-AFL first-team pick in each of the next three
seasons, including the 1963 Championship year for the Chargers. Contract
problems caused the Chargers to attempt to trade Faison and Ernie Ladd to
Houston in 1966, but the deal was voided by Commissioner Joe Foss and he was
dealt to the expansion Miami Dolphins during the season, after which he retired.
In just six seasons, Faison was a consensus first-team All-AFL selection four
times and was selected to five AFL All-Star Games. He went on to become a
long-time educator and high school football coach.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).